Building construction



March 1, 1938. J. SYLVAN 2,109,655

BUILDING CONSTRUCTION V I Filed June 13, 1955 e Shets-Sheet 1 March 1, 1938. J. SYLVAN BU ILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 15, 955

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 1, LV N BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 15, 1935 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 QM n w k dseplz S Zvcaz March 1, 1938. J S V I BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 13, 1935 March 1, 1938.

I J. SYLVAN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION.

Filed June 13, 1935 6 Sheet s-She et 5 March 1, 1938. J SYLVAN BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Filed June 13, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented. Mar. 1, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION Joseph Sylvan, Chicago, Ill.

Application June 13, 1935, Serial No. 26,466

9 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in metallic building construction, and one of the objects of the same is to provide an improved sectional construction of this character in which the walls, floors, ceilings, partitions and roof will be of a hollow and sectional construction, the parts constituting the same being secured together and in position without the use of bolts or rivets, and in which construction interlocking joints will be provided between the parts or elements to form dead air spaces, and insulating material may be provided in such dead air spaces to provide an effective insulation.

A further object is to provide in a structure of this character a supporting frame embodying angle or channel irons fastened together, and which fastening means will be concealed from both the inside and the outside surfaces of the walls and partitions.

A further object is to provide in a structure of this character an improved window and wall construction, and improved means adapting the window sashes for raising and lowering movements beyond the window opening. A further object is to provide an improved wall, ceiling, floor and roof construction, the proximate edges of the elements of which are provided with interlocking means, the elements or sections being held in assembled relation without the use of bolts, rivets or other fastening devices, and improved means for supporting the elements in assembled relation.

To the attainment of these ends and the ac complishment of other new and useful objects as will appear, the invention consists in the features of novelty in substantially the construction, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating this invention and in which Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of a building constructed in accordance with the principles of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a walls.

portion of the framework and a portion of the outside wall and the inside wall or liner construction.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail sectional view, as taken on line 1-1, Figure l.

Figure 8 is a detail side elevation, partly brok- 5 en away and with parts omitted, of a portion of v the wall and window construction.

Figure 9 is a detail, horizontal sectional view taken on line 9-9, Figure 8, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 10 is a detail sectional view, partly broken away, taken on line iii-l0, Figure 8, on an enlarged scale.

Figure 11 is a detail sectional view, on an enlarged scale, as taken on line I'l-l I. Figure 1,

Figure 12 is a side elevation, partly' broken away, of the face of one form of wall construction.

Figure 13 is a detailed sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken on line l3--l3, Figure 12.

Figure 14 is an irregular, sectional view, taken on line "-44, Figure 13, looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 15 is a detail perspective view of one of the uprights or supports for holding the wall elements in, assembled relation. Figure 16 is a detail perspective view showing a manner in which the sections constituting one of the wall faces maybe supported by the sections constituting the other wall face.

Figure 17 is a detail perspective view, partly in section, showing another form of picture molding, floor or roof support.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 2|] designates a suitable supporting base which may be constructed of concrete or anyother suitable material, and to the upper surface of which base is secured in any suitable manner, an angle iron 2|, one flange of which projects vertically, and to which angle iron is secured uprights 22, any number of which may be provided. These channel irons are preferably arranged with the outer face of the bottoms of the channels disposed inwardly, and the upper ends of the uprights are secured together preferably by means of a U shaped channel iron 23, thereby providing a framework for the walls of the building.

The walls, roof, ceiling, and partition elements are of substantially the same construction, and are formed of sheet metal comprising a body portion 24 of any desired length, one of the lateral edges of the body being shaped to form an inwardly opening substantially V shaped portion 25. A portion of the material constituting the other lateral edge of the element is also shaped to form an outwardly opening substantially V shaped portion 26, and projecting from the outer edge of the portion 26 is a flange 21, which is disposed in substantial alinement with the lateral edge 28 of the element 24. This portion 21 is arranged at substantially right angles to the portion 24 and is of any desired width, and the free edge thereof is bent inwardly as at 29 to form a flange of any desired width.

In constructing the floor and ceiling, a series of these elements are joined together, and a second series of the elements are inverted'and cooperate with the first series to form the hollow structure. In thus arranging the parts (see particularly Figure 5) the flange 29 on one of the elements rests against the under face of the portion 24 of another element, while the substantially V shaped portion 25 is seated within the V shaped portion 26 of another of the elements, and the parts are supported, to constitute the floor of the room or building, by means of an angle iron 3ll which is secured to the uprights 22. Similarly, the structure which forms the ceiling or root is supported by means of an angle iron 3| also secured to the uprights 22.

The upright walls are formed of similarly constructed elements 24 which are arranged on the outside of the building, and in this event the elements are arranged on end, with the interlocking or interengaging portions 25-26 running vertically, a portion of the element 24 being cut away as at 32 (see Figure 2) at the top to form a lip 33 and a shoulder 34, which lip 33 engages the face of the channel iron 23, while the shouldered portion 34 extends beneath and engages the lower face of the channel iron. The ends of the elements 24 are secured to the channel iron 23 in any suitable manner.

Similarly, the lower ends of the upright elements 24 are cut away to form lips 35 and a shoulder 36. The numeral 31 designates an inverted U shaped member or channel iron, pref; erably constructed of some suitable light material which is placed over the angle iron 2| in such a position that the lips 35 at the lower ends of the element 24 will engage the outer face thereof, and the shouldered portion 36 will engage and rest upon the top of the element 31, these parts being secured together in any desired or suitable manner.

The inner face of the upright walls is constructed of an element 38 (see particularly Figure 6) along one edge 39 of which is formed an outwardly opening substantially V shaped portion 40, and along the other lateral edge 4| thereof is formed an inwardly opening substantially V shaped portion 42. These elements 38 constitute what might be termed a liner or the inner face of the wall structure, and are arranged so as to extend transversely of the uprights 22. The upright elements 24 constituting the outer face of the walls are provided along the flanged portion 29 with inwardly projecting lips or fingers 43 formed by cutting out portions of the flange 29 and deflecting the cut out portions laterally, thereby providing upwardly opening, seats or hook shaped portions. Y

In assembling the elements 38, the outwardly opening V shaped portion 40 is hooked over the flngers 43 so as to enter the seats or pockets formed by these fingers. This will cause the face of the free edge of the V shaped portion 40 to contact the face of the flange 29. The next adjacent element 39 is then placed in position by seating the V shaped portion 42 into the V shaped portion 49, and in this manner the entire wall face may be formed (see also Figure 2).

Within the hollow wall construction thus provided, the uprights 22 are arranged as shown more clearly in Figure 4. The lower edge of the lowermost element 38 (seeparticularly Figures 1 and 11) terminates short of the upper surface of the fioor formed by the elements 24, and a filler member 4| is provided which is itself formed with an outwardly opening V shaped portion 42 along one edge that engages over one of the fingers 43 on the flange 29 of the portion 21 of the element 24, so as to substantially flll the space between the lower edge of the element 38 and the floor. The lower edge of the element 4| is bent backwardly and preferably upwardly as at 44 and then downwardly as at 45, the free edge of the downwardly bent portion 45 being bent back upon itself as at 46, and extends down below the upper surface of the floor and between the floor element and the flange 29 of the element 24. A molding member 41 provided along one edge with a rearwardly and upwardly projecting flange 48, serves to provide a finish for the structure at the floor line, the flanged portion 48 extending beneath the upwardly inclined portion 44' of the element 4|. The upper edge of the element 41 may be bent back upon itself as at 49.

Thus it will be seen that with this structure there will be provided a finish for the walls at the floor line.

The corners of the building preferably encompass uprights 22, and are formed of a hollow sheet metal construction, provided with a recessed portion 50 for the end walls and recessed portions 5| for window sash or door frames.

Each of the window openings is encompassed by a frame designated, generally by the reference numeral 52 in Figure 1, forming the top and side walls, and at the base of the window opening is provided a stool 53 formed of a sheet metal construction shapedto form an outer sill 54, the portion of the material at the edge of the sill 54 being bent downwardly as at 55 and then rearwardly and upwardly to form the downwardly opening V shaped portion 56, to receive the upper edge 51 of a wall element 58, the lower edge of which latter rests against the sill 29 and the outer face of the inverted U shaped member 37 that stands astride of the channel iron 2|, the parts being secured together in any suitable manner.

Beneath the window opening there is provided an open space for a radiator or heating app ratus, and the wall 59 of which space is formed by an upright member having a laterally projecting flange 60 at its lower edge, the upper surface of which flange is substantially flush with the upper surface of the elements 24 forming a part of the floor structure. The upper edge of the member 59 is bent forwardly and preferably slightly upwardly as at 6|, and the edge of the portion 6| is bent to form an upwardly projecting flange 62 which passes behind a downwardly projecting flange 63 on the stool member 53. The ends 64 of the member 59 are shaped in a similar manner to form an open recess for a heating I Arranged to slide within the window opening are sashes 81-88, one preferably constituting a storm sash, and intermediate the sashes 81-88, may be provided a screen 88. The sashes 81-88 are guided in the open seats 5| of the adjacent upright members, and spacers 10 shaped to form a guideway II intermediate its ends are provided with laterally projecting flanges 12-13 that cooperate respectively with the walls 14-15 of the members 5| to guide the sashes 8188 while the intermediate member or screen 88 is adapted to be moved in the seat or portion 1|.

Weight cords 18 are provided which pass over suitable pulleys (not shown) and are connected to the respective sashes and also to suitable weights for ,counterbalancing the sashes, and which weights move within the hollow wall construction.

At the upper end of the wall, and adjacent the ceiling there is provided a molding, provided with a portion 11 of any desired width. One edge of this portion is shaped to form a laterally projecting flange 18 that is adapted to engage over a portion of the angle iron 3| and beneath the adjacent surface of the elements constituting the ceiling. The other edge of the element 11 is shaped to form a downwardly inclined portion 19 and a laterally projecting portion 80, the free edge of-which latter is bent downwardly asat 8| to form an upright portion, and the edge of this uprightportion is shaped to form a laterally projecting and inclined flange 82. The portions 8| and 82 form an outwardly opening V shaped seat adapted'to be seated in the V shaped portion 40 of the adjacent element 38, and with the parts thus assembled there will be provided an open channel 83 extending around the upper .portion of the wall in proximity to the ceiling for the reception of picture hooks.

The roof 8 is formed of any suitable material and abuts an upright member 85 which is provided with a lower flange 88 (see particularly Figures 1 and 2) that rests upon the portion 24 of the adjacent roof element. This upright member 85 extends preferably to the top of the channel member 23 and is bent over the top of. the channel member from the inside to the outside face of the wall and overhangs the outer face of the wall as at 88, the overhanging portion being corrugated or suitably shaped to form a molding or finish for the top of the wall.

The walls of the building are preferably formed of separate sections designated generally by the reference numerals 89 and 90 in Figure 8, so that the sections may be fabricated at the factory and then shipped to the place where the building is to be erected. To that end, the angle irons 3| extend beyond the proximate edges of the elements 38 as well as beyond the lateral edges of the upright members 24 so as to form a space 9|. When the adjacent sections are secured together, angle irons 92 are provided, and these angle irons are supported in any suitable manner and extend across the structure as shown more clearly in Figure 4, upright channel irons 93 being provided to support the angle irons 92, and to which uprights the angle irons 92 are secured in any suitable manner.

The space 94 thus provided constitutes a space in which the ends of a partition designated generally by the reference numeral 95 in Figure 4, are inserted so as to divide the structure into rooms. Wherever a partition is to be employed the proximate ends of adjacent elements 38 terminate short of each other and the partitions,-

- an upper or cap member I04.

being formed in the same manner as the wall structure, maybe placed into position by inserting the ends of the partition into the space between the adjacent elements 38. Tie or anchor plates 98 may be provided for securing the partition in position.

If desired, suitable anchor clips 91 may be provided for the uprights wherever necessary.

In the form of the invention shown in Figure 1, the window sashes 81-48 and the screen 89 are adapted to be raisedso as to slideinto the hollow portion 98 (see Figure l) and the sashes being counterbalanced, this movement may be readily accomplished. Furthermore, suitable locking and holding means for the window sashes (not shown) may be provided.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 8 and 9, two windows 99-I00 are shown, the same being representative of two diiferent floors of the building, that is with windows superposed and in alignment. b

In this form of the invention the window sashes are provided with cross bars IOI between which the window glass is arranged.

Provision is also made so that the window sashes themselves may not only be raised but lowered beyond the confines of the window frame opening, so as not only to provide a ventilating means but to also provide a means whereby the sashes may be lowered to facilitate cleaning the outside thereof.

To that end, the window opening I02 (see Figures 8, 9, and 10) is provided with a sill I03 and The outer sill I05 is shaped to provide an upwardly projecting flange I08 that co-operates with a portion I01 of the sill I03 to form a space I08 for the inner sash I09 to slide into, a ledge or projection 0 being formed upon which the lower edge of the sash I09 may rest to hold the same closed. The sill I05 is also provided with a downwardly projecting flange I I I to co-operate with an upwardly projecting flange II2 on a front member I I3 that co-operates with a wall IIII anda base II5 to form a hollow space I I6 into which the sashes I09 and III are adapted to be lowered.

The outer sash H1 is adapted to be moved through an opening I I8 and the lower edge of the sash H1 is adapted to engage and rest against the flange II2 to hold the lower sash closed. When it is desired to lower either of the sashes I09--I I1, the former is moved laterally outward to disengage the shoulder IIO, and the latter is moved laterally inwardly to disengage the flange 2.

These sashes I09 and H1 move upon suitable guides II9I20, and the screen I2I also moves on guides I22 so that they may be raised. The screen I2I, however, is not adapted to be lowered below the window sill.

at I21 and then back upon itself as at I28 to form a finish adjacent the face of the adjacent element 38.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 12 and 13, there is disclosed a means whereby the wall structures may be formed so that the wall sections will not only be superposed but will break joint with each other to simulate a stone or brick surface, and in that event the elements themselves are constructed of a smaller size. The inner and outer surfaces of these elements in this construction are formed of sections similar in construction to the sections 38 so that sections in both the inner and outer faces of the wall run in the same direction. That is, the length of each of the elements is disposed horizontally.

To that end there is provided any suitable number of uprights I28 of channel formation secured together in any suitable manner, preferably at their tops and bottoms by connecting members I30, and the channel uprights I29 areso arranged that the outer faces of the side members of the channels will be disposed adjacent the inner and outer faces of the wall structure. Each of the side walls of the channels I29 is provided with cut out portions I3I-I32 that are deflected laterally to form upwardly projecting fingers or hook shaped portions forming seats for portions of the wall elements, the portions I32 being off-set slightly as at I33 to form seats, for a purpose to be described.

In assembling the elements 38 for this structure, the outwardly opening V shaped portion 40 is disposed within the seat formed by the lip I3I, and the inclined surfaces of the walls of the V shaped portions 40 and 42 respectively that form the joint I34 on the inside surface of the wall, are so arranged that the V shaped portions 40 and 42 open upwardly while the V shaped portions 40 and 42 on the outside elements 38, that is the elements forming the outer surface of the wall of the building, open downwardly so that the joint I35 formed by the abutting surfaces of these two portions will not be in a position to permit water to flow from the outside of the building through the joint I35. In order to accommodate this structure, it will be manifest that the contacting portions 40 or the V shaped portions of the elements 38 provide a portion of increased thickness. Therefore, in order to accommodate this increased thickness the offset portion I33 of the lip or finger I32 is provided.

The adjacent ends of the proximate elements 38 may be secured together in any suitable manner, such as by means of tie plates I36 (see particularly Figure 13) which themselves may be secured to the parts in any suitable manner.

Obviously, the lips or projections I 3I and I32 may be arranged in any desired or suitable position with respect to the uprights I29, and so as to permit of the staggered arrangement of the elements 38 and which arrangement is shown clearly in Figure 12 of the drawings.

Obviously, and if desired, the hollow formations of the various elements may constitute dead air spaces or if desired, suitable filler or insulating material I31 (see particularly Figure 4) may be provided to fill the hollow spaces formed by the elements.

It will also be manifest that additional filler members I 38 may be provided wherever desired or necessary, and any other suitable bracing or reinforcing means, wherever necessary or desirable, may be installed.

In Figure 16 there is shown a means whereby the sections of the outer face of the wall may be supported directly by the sections of the inner face of the wall, and in this event uprights 22 between the wall sections may be dispensed with. To that end an angle iron 3| may be secured to the flange 29 of the portion 21 of the element 24, in any suitable manner such as by means of bolts, rivets, or may be spot welded, and the flange portion 40 of the sections constituting the inner wall may engage and rest thereupon.

This structure also serves as a means for reinforcing and bracing the elements 24. Obviously, any number of these angle irons II" may be employed and arranged in any suitable position with respect to each other.

In Figure 17 the numeral I39 designates columns or uprights corresponding to the uprights 22, and to one face of the uprights I33 angle irons 3I may be secured by suitable fastening devices such as bolts or rivets 3|. A molding I is shaped to engage and rest upon the flange of the angleiron and is shaped to form an upwardly opening channel or hook shaped portion I42 for the reception of the picture hook.

The molding III is shaped to form an offset portion providing a space I43 and the back of the hook shaped portion I 42 overhangs and is spaced from projections or supports I40 that are carried by the uprights I39 so that the edge of the wall section or element 38 may be inserted behind the molding, the space I43 allowing the edge to be raised so as to engage over the projection I40.

The roof is adapted to engage and rest upon the angle iron 3|".

While the preferred forms of the invention have been herein shown and described, it is to be understood that various changes may be made in the details of construction and in the combine! tion and arrangement of the several parts, within the scope of the claims, without departing from the spirit of this invention.

What is claimed as new is:-

1. A metallic building construction embodying a frame structure, said frame embodying uprights, hollow walls within which said uprights are arranged, said walls comprising inner and outer faces, each of said faces comprising elements formed of sheet material arranged edge to edge, the proximate edges of adjacent elements shaped to form interlocking portions, one of said edges forming a seat and the other edge shaped to coincide with and seated in said seat to maintain the sections against relative lateral displacement, and means engaging certain of said elements for'supporting the elements in superposed relation, 2. portion of the element of one wall face beyond said seats being shaped to form spacing means engaging the opposite element of the other wall face to maintain said walls spaced.

2. A metallic building construction embodying a frame structure, said frame embodying uprights, hollow walls within which said uprights are arranged, said walls comprising inner and outer faces, each of said faces comprising elements formed of' sheet material arranged edge to edge, the proximate edges of adjacent elements being bent into shape and adapted to be inserted one into the other to form interlocking portions, and means carried by and projecting from a lateral face of certain of said elements, and upon which means other of the elements rest to be supported thereby in superposed relation, said elements being of a greater length than width, the elements constituting one face of the wall being arranged with their longitudinal diameters intersecting the longitudinal diameters of the elements constituting the other face of the wall.

3. A hollow wall structure, the inner and outer faces of which are both formed of a plurality of sections of sheet material, each of the sections constituting one face of the wall comprising a body, one longitudinal edge of the body being bent back to form an extension of substantial width projecting therefrom at substantially right angles to the body, a recess-in said extension in close proximity to the body, the proximate edge of the adjacent section being bent to form a portion to conform to and be seated in said recess and forming intermeshing means along the proximate edges of adjacent sections, the other face of the wall formed of interlocked elements, and interengaging means between the said sections and the said elements for supporting the latter.

4. A hollow wall structure, the inner and outer faces of which are formed of a plurality of sections of sheet material, each of the sections constituting one face of the wall comprising a body provided with a portion along one edge shaped to form an extension of substantial width projecting therefrom at substantially right angles to the body, intermeshing means along the proximate edges of adjacent sections and at the junction of said extension with said body, the other face of the wall formed of interlocked elements, and supporting projections carried by the said extension and with which said projec tions the elements of the other face of the wall engage to be supported thereby. 4

5. A hollow wall structure the opposite faces. of which are formed of sections of sheet material, the proximate edges of adjacent sections being provided with interengaging formations to provide a joint, and means formed by a portion of the sections of one face of the wall and projecting laterally beyond said face and upon which means certain of the sections of the other face of.

I faces of which are both formed of a plurality of sections of sheet material, each of the sections embodying a body, oneedge of which is bent to form a lateral projection of substantial width, a

portion only of said projection provided with an open recess 'in close proximity to the bend, the

opposite edge of the element being shaped to provide spaced walls to co-incide with said recess and adapted to be seated in the recess in the next adjacent section, the said opposite edge terminating considerably short of the free end of said portion, said sections in assembled relation being arranged so that the lateral projection on each section of one wall face will engage the section of the opposite wall face and provide spacing means for opposed sections.

'7. A wall construction embodying a plurality of sections formed of sheet material arranged edge to edge, the proximate edges of adjacent sections being shaped to form interlocking portions, one of the edges of each section being bent to form a portion of substantial widtharranged at substantial- 1y right angles to the body, an ,open recess of an approximately V-shaped formation in said portion in close proximity tothe junction of the said bent portion and said section and comprising only a part of the said bent portion, the other edge of said section being also bent in the same general direction as the first said bent portion and terminating considerably short of the free end of the latter, the said other edge being shaped to provide spaced walls to fit within and conform to the said recess, the walls of the said other edge contacting the walls of the recess, the free edge of the' wall of said other edge terminating substantially flush with the edge of said recess, whereby the sections will be maintained against lateral displacement with respect to each other.

8. A wall construction embodying a plurality of sections formed of sheet material arranged edge to edge, the proximate edges of adjacent sections being shaped to form interlocking portions, one edge of each section being bent to form a portion of substantial width arranged at substantially right angles to the body, an open recess in and comprising only a part of the said portion and disposed in close proximity to the junction of said bent portion and section, the other edge of said section being bent in the same general direction as the said portion to provide spaced walls, the said other edge terminating considerably short of the free end of said portion, the said spaced walls fitting in and contacting the walls of said recess, one face of all of said sections when in assembled relation providing a finished wall surface, the'longer of said bent portions on the respective sections cooperating to provide at their extremities a structural support to which other materials may be fastened to form another wall spaced from the first said wall.

9. A wall construction embodying a plurality of sections formed of sheet. material arranged edge to edge to provide a finished wall surface, the proximate edges of adjacent sections forming interlocking grooves and projections whereby the parts will be maintained against lateral displacement with respect to each other, one edge of each section being bent to form a portion of 'substantial width arranged at substantially right angles to the body and having'an open recess considerably short of the freeend of said por-' tion and shaped to provide spaced walls to fit within and conform to said recess with the spaced walls contacting the walls of said recess, the free extremity of .the said portion on the respective sections being bent at substantially right angles 6 to said portion to form a supporting surface against which other materials-may be fastened to form another wall surface spaced from the first said wall surface.

JOSEPH SYLVAN. 

